Don’t Miss These Tips on Festival Season “Fest-tiquette” From fashion to chairs, navigation, and drink-lines, Fest leaders share tips on festival etiquette from the past 35 years

New Orleans, LA - We’re just a few weeks away from the 35th , and we can’t wait to dance, eat, and laissez les bon temps rouler! From April 12 – 15, New Orleanians and visitors alike will hit the French Quarter to enjoy the city’s largest free food and music festival. To help festival-goers prepare for the big weekend, we share our tips for proper festival etiquette (or “fest-tiquette”) to ensure everyone has an enjoyable and safe weekend.

 Festival Fashion:  With 23 stages and 60+ food vendors spanning the French Quarter, expect to walk . . . a lot. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes.  Hats are not only fashionable, but functional and offer great protection from the beating sun.  Spring weather has taken over . Dress for warm afternoons and mild evenings.

 Protect Your Skin:  Pack sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30 and remember to apply throughout the day.  Magnet for bugs? We advise to bring bug spray with you, especially during evening headliners’ sets.

 How to Watch:  Are chairs allowed? The answer is yes. However, we encourage our festival friends who bring chairs to respect other attendees and not block walkways or the stage. If the crowd gets too thick, we ask that you consider packing up to enjoy the live music dancing on your feet. It’s for your safety and those around you.  We know anyone from or visiting New Orleans during French Quarter Fest loves to dance – and we encourage it. If you’re dancing with a parasol or other items, be mindful of those around you.  MaCCNO* TIP: Flash photography can be distracting for the performers. Please turn off your flash.

 Skipping Lines:  Simply, don’t skip lines. Everyone has the same end goal and our vendors work hard to keep the lines moving.  If there’s a line at the restrooms and it’s an emergency, politely ask if you can cut in front. We’ve all been there.

 No Party Fouls:  This is New Orleans and we know how to have a good time! Make sure you pace yourself and drink plenty of water so you don’t become ‘that one friend.’  Don’t forget to eat. From Antoine’s to the Daily Beet, we have reasonably priced food for everyone. Download our app to browse through menu options.  MaCCNO* TIP: If you are enjoying a street performance, someone’s artwork or cultural traditions, like Mardi Gras Indians, ALWAYS ask if you can take a picture and NEVER sell the images without the subject’s permission.

 Navigation:  Getting to Festival is easy, but parking can be challenging. Arrive early to park in these lots located in the heart of the festival: French Market, 500 Decatur Street, 300 North Peters Street, 211 Conti Street, The Garage at Canal Place, and various locations within walking distance. Here are a few other options to get to FQF: . Bike: Bike Easy Valet, sponsored by Blue Bikes is available Friday-Sunday. The service is located at the Canal Street entrance to Woldenberg Riverfront Park. “Do it yourself” bike parking is also available at several locations: along the Mississippi floodwall at the Conti Street and Bienville Street entrances, and at State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Avenue, on the neutral ground. . Ferry: The Canal Street Ferry is conveniently located at the foot of Canal Street and provides an easy option for those traveling to or from the West Bank. . Bus and Streetcar: New Orleans also has convenient public transportation. The Loyola Streetcar line has stops near several parking lots in the CBD and drops off steps away from the French Quarter. The following are easy access routes to downtown and the areas surrounding the French Quarter: #10 Tchoupitoulas, #11 Magazine, #55 Elysian Fields, #57 Franklin, #91 Jackson/Esplanade, #2 Riverfront, #12 St. Charles, #47 Canal/Cemeteries, #48 Canal/ Streetcar, #49 Loyola/UPT.  MaCCNO* TIP: Don’t walk in the street unless you’re sure it’s closed to cars. Cars don’t always stop for pedestrians in cross walks. Be extra careful about your safety when drinking.  Tips from the French Quarter Fest Team . Get your groove on! Free dance lessons presented by Academy Sports+Outdoors will be provided by professional dancers on two stages all weekend. . Can’t get enough of Zachary Richard? We’ve got good news: you can catch his set on the Chevron Cajun/Zydeco stage, hear him speak at Let Them Talk, and watch his film at Film Fest! . Looking for a healthy bite? This year we’re teaming up with Eat Fit NOLA to label menu options and help those who want to eat clean, count calories, and manage diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol. Our app also labels gluten- free, vegetarian, and/or sugar-free menu items. . Did we say app? Yes! FQF has an new app. We also have a new website frenchquarterfest.org. . Want to engage? Use our hashtag #fqfest18! . We all love our furry friends, but please leave pets at home. . Want to help keep the fest free? Support us through our official beverage and merchandise booths. . Contribute to our musicians’ fund by throwing a tip into the jars found at our beverage booths. Every dollar goes directly to our fest artists!

Happy Festing!

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